Welcome to Music Teachers Insightful Practices (MTIPS) Newsletter!
Written and Published by Nicholas Ambrosino
www.musicsimplymusic.com
director@musicsimplymusic.com

August 5, 2003

Table of Contents:

1. MTIPS Theme
2. Welcome Notes
3. MTIPS Development
4. Notable Quotables

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1. MTIPS Theme

Lesson plans are usually created in the laboratory, actual “learnings” are created in the presence of the learner, with the input of the learner. 

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2. Welcome Notes

Welcome to Music Teachers Insightful Practices (MTIPS) Newsletter!

Thanks to all who have sent me email letting me know that MTIPS is a valuable resource for you. Your correspondences encourage me and confirm for me, that I am on course with my vision for MTIPS! One subscriber from Connecticut recently wrote, “Thank you for some of the most important words of wisdom a teacher should consider! It is so important to remember that each student is an individual, and that what is right for one student may be so diametrically wrong for another…many thanks for taking the time to communicate these important concepts to us.”


Thanks, also, to all MTIPS subscribers who have passed MTIPS onto their friends and colleagues. To reach the goal of 700 subscribers, we just need 63 more new subscribers. (I’m starting to get the feeling I might actually be able to surpass the 2003 goal of 700!) Would you take a moment to forward this issue to anyone whom would benefit from a positive ezine to assist them in utilizing their fullest potentials as teachers and students? Thanks!

Several of you have inquired as to whether or not I work one on one as a music education/business/personal development coach to assist you in building the music teaching practice and life of your dreams. My answer is a resounding “YES!” I love the opportunity to assist people in reaching their fullest potential, both as musicians and human beings. It’s why I have devoted my life to the field of education. If you are interested in exploring the possibilities for yourself, please contact me immediately, as I only have 2 spots available in my schedule. I can be reached at 631-863-2069 ext. 62.

And finally, a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers. My goal is to provide you with practical tips and insights that will make your career or education in music, more fulfilling, rewarding and enjoyable. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to see a certain topic covered in an upcoming issue of MTIPS. My email address is editor@musicsimplymusic.com

FREE REPORTS! 
http://www.musicsimplymusic.com and follow the links to the FREE report page. This page is only accessible if you are a registered MTIPS subscriber. We have lots of information, and resources you can use. We’re constantly adding and up-dating, so check it often!

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3. MTIPS Development

In 1991, my wife and I purchased our first home; a shack in Lake Ronkonkoma, New York. As all new homeowners do, I felt compelled to make a carpentry repair. For the record, I am not, by any means, a carpenter or a master with the tools of the carpentry trade, so I consulted my father-in-law, who is in the construction field. He explained to me what to do, telling me what I would find when I opened up the wall, told me what to touch and what to leave alone, told me what materials to use and which tools I would need. After his explanation, I felt mildly comfortable that, with his periodic phone coaching, I would be able to make the repair, until I made the first opening in the wall and nothing was as he described!

You see, my home was an old summer bungalow used for vacationing in the 1950’s. As such, it was literally put together with toothpicks and glue! There was no insulation in the walls, no studs were 16 inches on center and the wall sheathing consisted of whatever lumber happened to be lying around, (one section of the wall was actually the builders sign and another was an old green gate, hinges and clasps still attached)! 

For me, these inconsistencies were a source of panic and a hurdle that did not match the “description in the manual”. They were actually cause for me to stop the project, until my father-in-law came over. Responding to my call of mild panic, he came over to see what the matter was. Upon arrival and a quick inspection, he took out his tools, asked me to hand him his selection of lumber and nails and a few hours later the repair was complete.

As I watched and assisted him, (“Hammer please”, “Hammer, doctor”), I suddenly realized I was in the hands of a master. A master who was comfortable enough with his trade to effectively create and improvise around the obstacles that the task presented. Such is a master music facilitator. You see, improvisation is not just an art associated with playing jazz. Only the master educator is comfortable enough to “depart the text” to create what is best for his student.

Seasoned teachers know that lesson plans are basic guidelines and that fifty percent of the time, the lesson plan gets abandoned in order to connect with the student. Lesson plans are usually created in the laboratory, actual “learnings” are created in the presence of the learner, with the input of the learner. 

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4. Notable Quotable

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. 

Ellen Parr 

Copyright © 2003 Nicholas Ambrosino. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute MTIPS so long as this copyright notice and full contact information about the author is attached. The author of this issue is Nicholas Ambrosino and he may be contacted at director@musicsimplymusic.com or reached by telephone at 631-863-2069

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